I recently started riding again, I've had 3 lessons after a year break, and i rode a little mix horse which i used to ride atleast every week.
So, my usual riding instructor kind of quit, so now we have a new instructor. We were working on our canter aids and turning on the forehand.
My usual horse (DJ) used to be really smooth and nice in his downward and upward transitions, but lately he jogs and canters about a half a stride before he trots (even on the lounge) and his trot to canter is a bit joggy aswell . I'm by no means blaming this on my latest instructor, im just getting the facts out there before hand. DJ also has a conformation flaw, his "thigh" i would suppose (do not know the techincal term sorry) on his left top hind leg dips in and just looks dislocated. I've been told thats why he can't track up easily ... his leg just can't move that way, its not painful though.
So, we warmed up. Feeling good, and we do a canter for about 3 minutes. AWESOME! It was really good, his transitions are getting smoother and he's just generally being a good ride.
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He spooks at a corner with trees -___-. I handle him alright, but he starts cutting corners and not listening to my legs (which he's learning to do slowly-progress DIED when he spooked)
To get him to stop i have to make the reins so tight and pull back, i feel terrible doing this. It feels sick, but he does not stop! I was using all my stop aids as we learnt them again the week before.
So after about a 30 second tug-of-war he stops and i try a turn on the forehand. And he just walks off, my instructor said to keep the outside hand nice and firm, and i ended up pulling on that side and squeezing his flank.
: (He did a turn on the forehand, but i feel like a traitor to him. He's a good horse, he's just not trained properly. I told my newest instructor i don't want to saw on his mouth, and she said if thats how hes going to listen that it'll help me and him.
also, after the first spook he didnt canter very well, kept ignoring the bit and bolting and just acting up. But towards the end and after a few poles he was getting nicer so i tried a canter, he was really good, then a small pony with a fast canter got up his bottom and he freaked again and bolted and bucked into a fence ...: s that hurt, but my instructor said i handled him well and it wasnt my fault, but the person behind me. The rider was really sorry. Was there soemthing i could have done, maybe try cantering faster or not? or was it really the other riders fault??
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Thanks, just needed a vent and just a few comments. If you have any questions i'll keep adding "adds" and you can come back and have a look:)
I know what you mean about not wanting to hang off horses' mouths. It is never a good thing to do this. Continuous pressure without any relief, or just continuous pressure, will deaden the horse.
I think the first thing to do is work with his spooking problem. Is he wanting to turn away and bolt off when he spooks? Get him to face whatever it is that spooks him, and when he faces it, loosen the reins to reward him . Whenever he turns away, turn him back and give him relief only when he is turned toward it. You should soon be able to walk up to the trees in the corner or whatever it is once he has gained confidence and learned this won't hurt him.
It sounds like he get's all hyped up when something spooks him and forgets you and your cues. Show him he needs to listen to you, and when he does, reward him by letting him go. Ask him, ask him again, and if he doesn't respond with those two asks, then scold him. It is important to ask gently before you scold, but don't be afraid to be aggressive when you asked him and he ignored you. The NUMBER 1 thing is to give him relief every time he did or tried to do what you wanted, that way the horse will start looking for that relief. If there's nothing in it for the horse, why will he want to do it?
pets question and answers,www.5d2d.com I'm sorry this is so long and hey, update/edit to let us know how it goes, I would love to know.
Hey! I'm glad it's getting better, it sounds like something that will take work and patience. But yah, you don't want to take all of that away from the horse, it's good to retain some of that flight instinct, or whatever it is.:) Hope you become partners and get to trust each other.
Use the lightest aids possible, it will make him more sensitive to them.
Is he your horse or does he belong to the stable? If he belongs to the stable, he's had a few too many bad riders. If he's yours, he should improve after a while (if you use the minimum force necessary to get him to listen).
Also, remember that constant pressure doesn't work on a horse, you need to pull and release; and pull again slightly harder if he doesn't listen the first time.
First off, don't feel bad about being tough with him. Horses are clever things; if you let him get away with disobeying you, he'll try it more often. There was nothing you could do about the trees or the other horse, and it sounds like you handled the situations well. Be the boss of DJ, even if you feel mean doing it, because he'll pick up on your confidence and perform better for you. He sounds like a great horse - I hope he calms down a bit on your next few rides. Also , your new instructor is probably just getting used to the horses and riders. Once they get to know you all better, I'm sure they'll be a lot more effective.
